Liangzhou is the border city between Datang and Tuyuhun, only a few hundred miles away from Tuyuhun.
Although this city is desolate and barren, it plays an important role in guarding the border. There is a garrison near Liangzhou, with about 10,000 people, commanded by the governor of Liangzhou, and administrative decisions are made by the governor.
The governor, Pei Shen, is a native of Chang'an, from the Pei family in Hedong. He has been serving as the governor of Liangzhou for more than three years.
The land in Liangzhou was not peaceful. The Tuyuhun Khanate was duplicitous. On the surface, it claimed to be friendly with the Tang Dynasty and was a vassal of the Tang Dynasty. In fact, it invaded and plundered every year.
Liangzhou, on the other hand, could only adhere to the so-called "friendly" argument while increasing the intensity of border patrols to guard against Tuyuhun intruders.
In the past three years, Pei Shen felt that it was the gloomiest period of his life. He had never been so mentally and physically exhausted. Recently, Tubo invaded Tuyuhun. To be honest, Pei Shen was actually a little secretly happy. Tuyuhun deserved retribution.
"Uncle Li County wants to enter Tuyuhun immediately? Your Majesty, please ask the Governor of Liangzhou to send troops to escort you." Pei Shen asked.
Li Qinzai shook his head: "Don't worry, Tuyuhun is so tenacious. Let them resist for a while. I have to make a rule first, and I can't rush in blindly."
Pei Shen smiled and said: "Your Majesty agrees very much. We might as well sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight and let the two countries consume each other. Li County Bojiu may not know it in Chang'an. Tuyuhun is not a good person, and it is definitely not good for us in the Tang Dynasty."
They are so respectful on the surface, it’s time for them to learn a lesson this time.”
"That's right, dog bites dog, let them bite the hair first. What the emperor means is that it doesn't matter if all the people in Tuyuhun die, the important thing is that this land cannot fall into the hands of Tubo."
Pei Shen praised: "The emperor is a sage, and my subordinates also think so."
Li Qinzai said displeasedly: "Let's go to the city first and have a hot meal first. I'm not talking about you. You, the governor, are so rude. There is no reason to leave the distinguished guests outside the city gate. I don't ask you to welcome them with singing and dancing, and have a warm meal."
You have to have food, right?"
Pei Shen hurriedly apologized, and then diligently led Li Qinzai and his party to Liangzhou City.
Entering Liangzhou City, Li Qinzai found that the city was quite deserted. Perhaps it was because of the war. There were very few merchants in the city. Only a few shops on the street were open and the waiters were lazily sitting on the threshold and yawning.
, a few stray dogs drooped their thin bodies on the road looking for food.
The people were generally dressed shabbily, and everyone's clothes were patched. Moreover, the population seemed very small, and the whole city looked empty, as if it had just been robbed by bandits.
The Liangzhou Governor's Mansion was not much better. It was just a house with three entrances. The front hall was used to judge affairs, the atrium was the office space of the officials, and the backyard was where the Governor and his family lived.
This is the shabbiest governor's mansion that Li Qinzai has ever seen, even worse than the Li Family Courtyard in Ganjingzhuang.
Entering the Governor's Mansion, he saw Li Qinzai's strange expression. Pei Shen explained sheepishly: "This is a border town with a sparse population, so it is a bit rough. I'll forgive you, Mr. Li County."
Li Qinzai hummed and said: "I have two things to say, one good and one bad. The bad thing is, you are right, this place is really shabby and poor. It is not an exaggeration for a powerful son like me to come to this precious land.
It’s really said that ‘Pengpi shines’.”
Pei Shen's face froze and he forced a smile.
Li Qinzai said leisurely: "But the good thing is, Governor Pei, from this Governor's Mansion, it can be seen that you are really an upright and upright official. Of course, maybe it is because there is no oil and water to scrape in this place."
Hearing Li Qinzai praise him for his integrity, Pei Shen immediately became happy. The person in front of him was the emperor's envoy, referred to as "angel". His praise was equivalent to the emperor's own praise after rounding. After returning to the capital, he said it to the emperor casually.
A promotion and a salary increase are just around the corner.
He has had enough of this miserable place!
"Thank you so much for the compliment, County Uncle Li. As Uncle Li said, an official is as honest as a mirror and upright..." Pei Shen said happily.
Li Qinzai glanced at him and said slowly: "If you want to say that, I have a good word and a bad word here..."
"Please speak frankly to Li County Bokang, and your officials will listen attentively."
"The bad thing is that you are really thick-skinned. The good thing is... you are very suitable for being an official with such a shameless face."
Pei Shen hesitated for a moment, it was a bit difficult to distinguish what he said. He was hesitating whether to be angry or happy.
After entering the atrium hall, Pei Shen immediately ordered a banquet, and the food was served quickly. The dishes may be rich, but of course they are nothing in the eyes of the pampered Li Qinzai.
After dealing with him casually, Li Qinzai wiped his mouth and said to Pei Shen: "Has Tuyuhun's army been defeated and retreated to the east?"
Pei Shen said: "Yes, the Tubo army is overwhelmingly powerful, and Tuyuhun is no match. Khan Nuohebo has mobilized all the young men in the country to the front line, but it is still difficult to be the frontline of the Tubo army."
“‘The whole country is young and strong’ means that the tribes in the east of Tuyuhun, which have not yet been affected by the war, have also transferred their young and strong people out?”
"That's natural. It's no exaggeration to say that Tuyuhun's life is hanging by a thread now, and he can only take out all his family wealth."
"Every young man in the country who is between sixteen and forty years old must go to the battlefield to fight against the enemy. No one is exception. Many children of princes and powerful people have been recruited into the army, which shows how critical the country is."
Li Qinzai grunted and said: "Let them fight first. The Liangzhou garrison must not move without permission. The scouts keep inquiring about the military situation. When the time is right in the next few days, I will go to Tuyuhun territory as an envoy."
Pei Shen asked tentatively: "What County Uncle Li means when he says 'the time is right' is..."
"It means that one day I am lazy enough and suddenly want to do something active, then the time will be ripe."
Pei Shen stared in shock.
Li Qinzai smiled and said: "I just came to Guibao, and we don't know each other very well yet. When you understand what kind of character I am, you will definitely be able to beat me."
Pei Shenqiang smiled and said: "Uncle Li, you are just joking. You are so funny..."
Li Qinzai sighed: "I like jokes, but what I said just now is not a joke."
…………
There really is no rush when it comes to going on an envoy. If dog bites dog, both sides have to enjoy the fight.
No matter who of the two countries is consumed, it will be a good thing for the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty only needs to keep an eye on Tuyuhun's territory to prevent it from being controlled by Tubo. This is its only strategic purpose.
Tuyuhun was originally a duplicitous so-called vassal state, and had no respect for the Tang Dynasty. It would be better to destroy such a vassal state as soon as possible, and it would be safer to directly control the territory in the hands of the Tang Dynasty.
So Li Qinzai simply stayed in the governor's mansion.
In the past few days, scouts have been sent out continuously. In addition to inquiring about the military situation, the causes and consequences of the war between the two countries must also be investigated. Ergouzi can fight in vain, but Li Qinzai cannot go on a mysterious mission.